More than 60 teams of athletes from Boston and all of North America are scheduled to take part in the 35th annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Boston on June 15, 2014, with opening ceremonies scheduled for 7:00 a.m. at the Weeks Bridge on the Charles River.

The Hong Kong trade Commissioner to USA, Mr. Clement Leung, the most senior representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, will officiate the traditional eye-dotting ceremony and the dragon boat awakening procedure that precedes the races.

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The brightly colored Hong Kong style dragon boats will race down the Charles River over a course that will run between JFK Street and Western Avenue, with their occupants paddling furiously in the early morning haze.

A cultural exhibition will start at noon with programs that are free and family friendly. They include Chinese dragon and lion dances, martial arts, dance and music, traditional drumming, and genuine Hong Kong food.

Admission is free. There is no rain date.

The race and cultural activities are organized by the Boston Dragon Boat Festival, with support from Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York.